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An Approved Workman

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)

This much quoted verse caught my attention the other day and I thought I would share it with you.

We start with the strong admonition to “study.” This Greek word is, spoudazo, and means to “exert one’s self, to be diligent in labor while studying. This is followed by the reason for the admonition to study which is that we “show ourselves approved of God.” The word used for “to shew” is, paristemi, which could be understood to, “offer such an argument, or so much proof, that your presentation would bring another into your fellowship of understanding and intimacy” with the Word of God and the God of the Word.

Our argument is easily embraced by others because we are called to be “approved” of God. This is the word in this verse that I found so interesting. The word “approved” is, dokimos. According to Donald Barnhouse we understand that, “In the ancient world there was no banking system as we know it today, and no paper money. All money was made from metal, heated until liquid, poured into moulds and allowed to cool.

When the coins were cooled, it was necessary to smooth off the uneven edges. The coins, were comparatively soft and of course many people shaved them closely. In one century, more than eighty laws were passed in Athens, to stop the practice of shaving down the coins then in circulation. But some money changers were men of integrity, who would accept no counterfeit money. They were men of honour who put only genuine full weighted money into circulation. Such men were called “dokimos” or “approved”.

Oh, Beloved, that we Christians would be “dokimos” and learn to handle the Word of God without “shaving down” its full counsel.

My constant prayer is that we would each be willing to exert ourselves and be diligent in our study of the Word. Oh, that we would learn to present our testimony of its life giving power in a way that would draw the lost into fellowship with Christ, the Logos of God and give them a hunger to seek intimacy with our God.